Inspired by Jeff Hilimire’s post about keys to being excellent at anything — which was itself inspired by the Harvard Business Review’s own Six Keys to Being Excellent at Anything — I’ve compiled my own set of keys.
These are more general, less about becoming awesome at one thing in particular and more about just being better. I make no guarantees of excellence in particular, but I know from personal experience that these keys just might make you happy in general.
- Embrace your eccentricities. Embarrassment is a waste of time, so take pride in your strangeness. I’m not advocating an abandonment of common sense. Unless your boss is incredibly understanding, don’t go to work dressed as a Stormtrooper or a Klingon (unless that is your job). But the things that interest you, that bring you joy and fulfillment, they’re worth celebrating without shame.
- Never stop learning … and whenever possible, learn by doing. You never know when the most obscure fact will suddenly become the most valuable piece of information ever. Ephemera and trivia will save your life … or at least your day.
- Life is too short. If you have something to say, say it now. The same goes for to do, to be, to learn … practically any verb, really.
- Be bold. We give this advice to our NFDC actors. If you’re going to do something, do so boldly. Bigger actions risk bigger mistakes, but so be it. Small actions, tiny movements, they look embarrassed and unsure. This applies in life as much as on stage. Life is not to be lived tentatively.
- Hate is a burden. Like Henry Rollins once said: “Hating someone is giving them too much, Just leave them alone. Its like when someone wants to hand you a big pile of horsesh*t, you don’t have to take it.”
- Find your tribe. Take those eccentricities from #1 and turn them inside out. Convert your peculiarities into connections. Go forth and find others like yourself, then combine your efforts, share your passions, pool your knowledge.
I’m no Stephen Covey. I don’t see a future for me in motivational speaking or life coaching. I’m just putting these out there because they work for me … and that’s only when I remember them.
So what are yours?
